Daily Doc: PM, April, 1994: Notes on a World ETS meeting
Daily Doc: Notes on a World ETS meeting
Title: ETS World Conference
PM, April, 1994
Bates #: 2054893642/3656
February 17, 2000
This document is handwritten notes on a meeting that was held in 1994 between various tobacco companies to discuss the challenges they face from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Some of the speakers included Ellen Merlo of Philip Morris and Steven Parrish. I thought these notes were interesting because they convey valuable information briefly and concisely. For example, I think this inside-the-industry fact is valuable: that quit rates jump from 5% to 21% in workplaces that are non-smoking. Industry confirmation that workplace bans are remarkably effective at motivating people to quit! I also appreciated Ellen Merlo's relating of industry strategy regarding secondhand smoke:
Shift argument to indoor air quality and accommodation as an effective approach.
1. Discredit EPA and reconsider.
2. Hold off ban.
3. Promote accommodation.
4. Preclude small local units from passing bans.
...The revelation that "Smoking bans are the biggest challenge we have ever faced," is also important because it tells us the most effective direction we can head in. We should also be aware that the industry will move to trying to change ventilation standards as a way to preempt safe indoor air measures. Also, I think advocates should take to heart the industry's expert advice here--(for who should know better than them?): a sound bite should ideally constitute no more than seven words.
Oh, and here's one last one: a little pat on the back for us: these notes say tobacco control advocates are "smart, well-funded, numerous in quantity" and that we package our our message professionally!
CITATION
Title: ETS World Conference
Type of Document: Report
Author: N/A
Date: 19940400
Site: Philip Morris Document Site
Page Count: 15
URL: http://www.pmdocs.com/getimg.asp?pgno=0&start=10&bool=ETS%20world%20conference%20and%20merlo%20and%20parrish&docid=2054893642/3656&docnum=15
(NOTE: I am supplying the URL of the first page only in order to preserve your ability to use the magnification function on at the site. It is helpful to magnify each page at the 1.5 level to see more detail, since it is hand-written). (Don't forget to cut and past the whole URL into your browser if it isn't all in blue HTML lettering). Litigation Usage: MN selected
QUOTES
Very hard (impossible?) to counter an emotional argument with a rational argument. This is our position regarding exposure of children to ETS.
Conclusion - PM needs to convey its sensitivity to the concern of the public regarding concern over ETS exposure.
10-25% of non-smokers are anti-smokers.
Ellen Merlo
Plan a strategy for a preemptive strike. Have press conference prior to official announcement. Shift argument to indoor air quallity and accommodation as an effective approach.
1. Discredit EPA and reconsider.
2. Hold off ban.
3. Promote accommodation.
4. Preclude small local units from passing bans.
..Smoking bans are the biggest challenge we have ever faced. Quit rate goes frm 5% to 21% when smokers work in nonsmoking environments.
Media training for all coalition members. Wide distribution of all positive media results. Model bill still in development.
Covington and Burling
IAQ standards - Europe and EEMA
Not just ASHRAE, but also general guidance, private policty, etc. Many sources of standard, not all official, but can still be influential. IAQ standards can be tantamount to smoking bans, they persist and they spread. An easy answer is to move from legislation to standardization.
WHO and IAQ -Attempt to ban in public areas. Olf (?) standard would result in a smoking ban.
Int'l Overview
- There are no safe markets.
-The anti-smokers are smart, well-funded, numerous in quantity. Well staffed, fulltime, more professional in pkg arguments. -Hospitality business best allies. Also some unions. - Losing morale within company, with our friends and customers.... -Spending less money fighting ETS threats today than 5 years ago due to budget constraints. - Main danger is bannign smoking at work or public spaces...Accommodation/segregation is preferred solution.
...Must raise level and intensity of debate over the EPA science...who wants to criticize the EPA and be perceived as pro-tobacco.. Smoking ban people are more organized than general IAQ people. 25 different states are considering bans.
EPA Controversial finding
Times Beach - Dioxin - 1982 - but it's not that toxic Alar - later research - not that toxic
Removal asbestos from schools unnecessary
...Sound bites - 7 word statements most effective. ...Trust built through caring/empathy....
Protecting public health is critically important to public perceptions... Perception = reality
Goal = trust and credibility
How to respond to difficult question:
--Empathy and caring
--Provide facts - start with a conclusion, then state supporting facts, evidence, 2 facts, - (use?) a third party endorsement...
PM credible sources
-Academic scientists not in receipt of funding
Organizational credibility comes from consistent responses throughout organization ...
This service is brought to you by the American Lung Association of Colorado ( http://www.alacolo.org/) and Smokescreen ( http://www.smokescreen.org)
To join Doc-Alert, go to http://tobaccodocuments.org/, scroll down to the bottom of the page, enter your email address in the box marked "Daily Document Newsletter," and click *subscribe.*
Visit the Daily Document Archives at http://www.smokescreen.org/list/viewmsgs.cfm?id=66.
Anne Landman, Regional Program Coordinator
American Lung Association of Colorado, West Region Office
Grand Junction, CO
(970) 245-2120
afoxland@gj.net
***********************
Go To: Tobacco BBS HomePage / Resources Page / Health Page / Documents Page / Culture Page / Activism Page
***********************
END OF DOCUMENT